Buying Resale
Selecting a green buyers agent
The green building industry in the United States is expected to quadruple is size over the next 5 years. What that means is a lot of new technologies are being introduced and a lot of agents are going to want to get in on the action. Choosing a buyers agent is one of the most important decisions you will make when purchasing a home. Your agent is your activist, they are your ears and eyes when you aren't around, they need to ask the questions that you don’t know to ask, and they need to make sure that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible.
Here are a few things to verify before deciding on your green agent.
- How long has the agent been working with green buyers?
- Does this agent see adding a "green" designation to their name as a way to make a few quick bucks, or does the agent really care about sustainable housing? Ask the agent why they choose to specialize in green homes and how long they have been working in the sector. This should help you sort out who is real from who isn’t.
- Can they provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of the area you are looking in?
- Asking an agent for an CMA is like asking them if they will do a little bit of homework for you. This can provide you with valuable information on homes in the area you are looking for. The agent should be able to produce a report with homes that have recently sold and ones that are on the market, in the general area and size range that you are interested.
- Do they work full or part time as an agent?
- Choosing an agent that works full time usually means they rely on your business for their income, so you can expect better service and more full attention and they will likely have better knowledge of real estate.
- Can they provide you with quality information on the area?
- You want an agent that is familiar with real estate in the area you are interested in purchasing. Ask probing questions about what other green options are available in the area and you will be able to determine whether the agent knows their stuff.
Green Housing Developments has helped many consumers find green homes in their area, and we have built relationships with many strong green agents. Please send us an email at greenhousingdevelopments@gmail.com if you would like for us to connect you with a green agent in your area.
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